Weeknight Baked Spaghetti 

This Weeknight Baked Spaghetti recipe is like a warm hug in a dish! It’s packed with cheesy, veggie goodness that’s perfect for those busy evenings when you want something comforting and delicious. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this dish is sure to become a quick favorite for the whole family! Completely Vegetarian. Gluten-free, Vegan + Meat Option.

You all went wild for my Grandma’s Weeknight Spaghetti recipe, so I created a new 'baked' version that's even heartier and easier to make. This Weeknight Baked Spaghetti uses plant-based meat crumbles, but you can easily swap in regular meat if you prefer. It’s meatless yet full of flavor and incredibly filling—making it a go-to family favorite whenever I’m in the mood for a no-fuss meal.

It's wonderfully simple, taking just 10 minutes of prep time, brimming with rich tomatoey flavors and topped with cheesy goodness + it's easily adaptable to be gluten-free. It's a win-win for everyone at the table! Plus, it's even better when reheated, making it the ultimate leftover dish! And if you're craving more deliciousness, you can always explore 'weeknight meals' on my site! 

If you are anything like me and love to make pasta bakes on the regular, then try out my Vodka Rigatoni Pasta Bake, Spicy Pumpkin Pasta Bake, Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Pesto Pasta Bake next. Honestly, they are the perfect lazy meal during the week or on weekends.

What Is Baked Spaghetti?

Baked spaghetti is essentially a pasta bake but with long, delicious spaghetti noodles. It involves mixing cooked spaghetti with a rich tomato sauce, cheese, and often meat or a meat substitute. After combining, the dish is baked until everything melds together and the top is golden + bubbly.

Why You Will LOVE This Weeknight Baked Spaghetti 

• Bold umami tomato flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• A hearty filling vegetarian dish with melty, bubbly cheese on top for that irresistible crispy layer.
• Hands-off cooking – Pop it in the oven and relax while it bakes.
• Easy weeknight meal---Simple preparation + minimal ingredients
• A crowd-pleasing combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
• Versatile + customizable --- Use plant-based meat or your favorite ground meat. Or make it gluten-free!
• It’s absolutely delicious! Pure bliss in every bite.

How To Make Weeknight Baked Spaghetti

It’s quite similar to any other pasta bake. You’ll start by cooking your spaghetti to al-dente and preparing a hearty tomato-based "meat" sauce. Then, combine everything in a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until it’s golden, crispy, and bubbling with deliciousness!

Ingredients

BAKED SPAGHETTI:

• Uncooked spaghetti. You can also use your favorite shape of pasta or substitute for gluten-free if necessary.
• Plant-based meat crumbles. I like the beyond meat ones! (You can also use actual ground beef or turkey, if not limited to meatless option)
• Extra virgin olive oil.
  Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Onion. Chopped (You can use white, yellow, or red onions)
• Garlic cloves. Minced.
• Tomato sauce. You can make your own or use a store-brought marinara sauce.
• Seasonings. Sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika + Italian seasoning.
• Red pepper flakes. Use as much or as little as you prefer.
• Vegetable stock. I love to use organic low sodium.
• Cheeses. I used freshly shredded mozzarella, cheddar + parmesan.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS BAKED SPAGHETTI!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Weeknight Baked Spaghetti recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Topping Ideas for Weeknight Baked Spaghetti 

For extra flavor, color, and texture for this baked spaghetti recipe, you can try:

• A dollop of ricotta cheese or creamy burrata
• Herb roasted tomatoes
• Chopped fresh basil
• Crispy pancetta or candied bacon bits (If you eat meat)
• Homemade croutons
• Toasted panko bread crumbs

If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!

What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Baked Spaghetti With?

When it comes to serving this mouthwatering Baked Spaghetti recipe there are some options that will truly elevate your meal. First off, don't forget to have some crusty bread on hand--- I love this homemade Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread or for more of a classic feel this Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread really hits the spot. Trust me; you'll want to dip it into that luscious, saucy goodness.

If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad or this Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy weeknight dinner beautifully.

But here's the thing. This Baked Spaghetti is so darn amazing that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the umami-rich tomato sauce + luscious creamy cheese —everything is just bursting with flavor. So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!

Choosing Your Perfect Pasta

I love using classic spaghetti pasta because it does a beautiful job of embracing and holding onto the spaghetti sauce and the texture is just fun to eat! But any of these pasta varieties would work for this dish -

• Bucatini
• Perciatelli
• Fettucini
• Rigatoni
• Shells
• Penne
• Paccheri
• Orecchiette
• Spirals
• Ravioli + gnocchi would also go wonderfully with this sauce combo!

Can I Use Meat Instead Of Plant-Based Crumbles?

Yes, you can! Feel free to swap the plant-based crumbles for ground beef, turkey, or sausage. Just cook the meat thoroughly before mixing it with your spaghetti sauce, and then proceed with the recipe as usual.

How To Make Your Sauce More Flavorful?

It's all about the seasoning! Whether you choose to make your spaghetti sauce from scratch or use a store-bought version (the Rao's brand is my fave by the way), adding seasoning to your sauce is KEY! Adding flavor to the base of your sauce with garlic and seasonings will add more depth to your pasta bake and allow everything else to marry together well. Just let it all simmer together and slowly bubble as the seasonings infuse deeply.

Weeknight Baked Spaghetti Recipe Q + A's

More Delicious Weeknight Meals You Will Love

Now that you've fallen in love with this Weeknight Baked Spaghetti recipe, here are some more weeknight dinner ideas to try with your family next:

• Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli
• Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
• Spicy Coconut Curry Chicken Bowl
• Baked Vegan Black Bean Tacos
• One Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
• Creamy Tuscan Lobster Pasta
• Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Vegan Bolognese
• Lemon Herb Roasted Chickpeas + Bucatini 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Weeknight Baked Spaghetti recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Weeknight Baked Spaghetti 

September 2, 2024 •

By Shanika

5 from 1 vote

This Weeknight Baked Spaghetti recipe is like a warm hug in a dish! It’s packed with cheesy, veggie goodness that’s perfect for those busy evenings when you want something comforting and delicious. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this dish is sure to become a quick favorite for the whole family! Gluten-free + Meat Option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Serves: 8 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

BAKED SPAGHETTI:

• 1 lb. uncooked spaghetti
• 1 (14 oz.) bag plant-based meat crumble (You can also use actual ground beef or turkey, if not limited to meatless option)
• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• ½ onion, chopped (You can use white, yellow, or red onions)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups tomato sauce (You can also use Marinara sauce)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon back pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup vegetable stock, organic
• 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prep a 9x13 baking dish.

TO COOK THE PASTA:

• Cook the pasta according to packaging but 2 minutes less than the time. Drain and add cooked spaghetti to prepped baking dish.

TO MAKE THE MEAT + SAUCE:

• In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil until heated. Add the onions and minced garlic, and sauté for 1 minute or so, until fragrant. Add the meat crumble (or actual meat), stirring until combined and the meat begins to brown, while breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
• Add the tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stirring until combined. Next, add the veggie stock and stir to combine and let everything bubble for 1 minute or so before reducing the heat.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer a bit, about 4-5 minutes-----until the sauce becomes fragrant and thickened from the meat. NOTE: If you'd like it to be a bit more "saucy", add an additional ¼ cup or so of veggie stock. Remove from heat.

BAKE EVERYTHING:

• Pour the meat + sauce mixture atop the spaghetti in the baking dish and toss around until spaghetti is coated. Top with cheeses until evenly covered and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and is a little golden (if preferred). Remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
• Serve and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and/or grated parmesan, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, add leftovers to oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through. 
• OIL: You can also use coconut oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil, instead of olive oil.
• GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as kale, spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus.
• GLUTEN-FREE: To make this dish GF, simply use Gluten-Free spaghetti and ensure that your vegetable stock and meat crumble are GF-friendly. 

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 1045mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 947IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 311mg | Iron: 1mg

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